A man who has helped libraries become meaningfully engaged with their local communities has taken the helm of the New Westminster Public Library.
Jorge Cardenas has been named as New Westminster’s new chief librarian.
“We are all familiar with the essential role that libraries play with various forms of literacy and a love of reading, as well as the solid history of service we have come to enjoy here in New Westminster,” he said in a news release. “We’re now looking forward to building on that legacy and expanding our services throughout the community, particular with our most vulnerable populations, aspects of our new strategic plan that I am particularly excited about.”
Completed this past summer, the library’s strategic plan is now available for review.
Naomi Perks, chair of the New Westminster Public Library Board, said the board is pleased to have Cardenas join the NWPL team.
“His leadership style, forward-thinking and broad-based library experience make him the ideal candidate to lead the library into the future,” she said. “On behalf of the entire board, we wish Jorge a warm welcome to New Westminster Public Library and look forward to working together as we prepare to launch our new strategic plan 2021 – 2024.”
Cardenas started his new role on Oct. 12. He most recently served as manager of community development at the Burnaby Public Library and branch manager at several locations with the Burnaby and Vancouver public libraries.
Cardenas, who is originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, also worked as the coordinator of the Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre, which helps newcomers to Canada find the information they need to explore careers and to get jobs. He also continues to teach courses related to community development through his role as an adjunct instructor at the University of British Columbia’s iSchool.
According to a press release from the City of New Westminster, Cardenas holds a degree in literature from Universidad de las Américas Puebla, Mexico, as well as a masters of library and information science from the University of British Columbia. He’s a graduate of the Public Library Leaders program, which is a partnership between the iSchool at the University of Toronto and the Canadian Urban Libraries Council.
Cardenas has been an active member of the British Columbia Library Association for many years and frequently publishes and speaks on issues related to community development and librarianship. He replaces a vacancy filled after Julie Spurrell retired in August, after serving as the city’s chief librarian for 17 years.
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